30 Crockpot Recipes with 5 Ingredients or Less for Easy Dinners
Cooking dinner after a long day can feel like an overwhelming task. That's why I'm always on the lookout for recipes that are both simple and delicious. My slow cooker has become my best friend in the kitchen, especially when I'm tired but still want to make a homemade meal.
That's why I compiled this list of "30 Crockpot Recipes with 5 Ingredients or Less for Easy Dinners." Each of these recipes requires minimal effort and ingredients, making it perfect for busy people like me. Let's dive into these easy, time-saving dishes that still pack a flavorful punch.
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1. BBQ Chicken
Get ready for a tangy and delicious dinner!
Ingredients:
- 4 chicken breasts
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
- 1/4 cup Italian dressing
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
Instructions:
- Combine BBQ sauce, Italian dressing, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce.
- Place chicken breasts in the crockpot and pour the mixture over them.
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4 hours.
2. Beef Tacos
A quick and customizable taco night!
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1 cup salsa
- 1/2 cup water
- Taco shells
Instructions:
- Brown the ground beef before adding to the crockpot.
- Stir in taco seasoning, salsa, and water.
- Cook on low for 4-6 hours.
- Serve in taco shells with your favorite toppings.
3. Italian Chicken
Simple yet satisfying.
Ingredients:
- 4 chicken breasts
- 1 packet Italian dressing mix
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions:
- Mix Italian dressing mix, water, and diced tomatoes.
- Place chicken breasts in the crockpot and pour the mixture over them.
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours.
- Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese before serving.
4. Teriyaki Chicken
Sweet and savory flavors.
Ingredients:
- 4 chicken thighs
- 1 cup teriyaki sauce
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 can pineapple chunks
- 1 onion, sliced
Instructions:
- Place chicken thighs in the crockpot.
- Combine teriyaki sauce and chicken broth, then pour over chicken.
- Add pineapple chunks and sliced onion.
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours.
5. Pulled Pork
Perfect for sandwiches.
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs pork shoulder
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 onion, chopped
Instructions:
- Place pork shoulder in the crockpot.
- Mix BBQ sauce, apple cider vinegar, and brown sugar.
- Pour mixture over pork and add chopped onion.
- Cook on low for 8-10 hours.
- Shred the pork with two forks before serving.
6. Creamy Ranch Chicken
Comfort food at its finest.
Ingredients:
- 4 chicken breasts
- 1 packet ranch dressing mix
- 1 can cream of chicken soup
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions:
- Place chicken breasts in the crockpot.
- Mix ranch dressing, cream of chicken soup, and milk. Pour over chicken.
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours.
- Top with shredded cheddar cheese before serving.
7. Chili
Hearty and filling.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 can kidney beans
- 1 packet chili seasoning mix
- 1 onion, chopped
Instructions:
- Brown ground beef before adding to the crockpot.
- Mix in diced tomatoes, kidney beans, and chili seasoning mix.
- Add chopped onion.
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours.
8. Lemon Garlic Chicken
Light and zesty.
Ingredients:
- 4 chicken breasts
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 tsp oregano
Instructions:
- Place chicken breasts in the crockpot.
- Mix lemon juice, minced garlic, chicken broth, and oregano.
- Pour mixture over chicken.
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours.
9. Mashed Potatoes
The perfect side dish.
Ingredients:
- 5 russet potatoes, peeled and chopped
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 4 tbsp butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Place potatoes in the crockpot and add chicken broth.
- Cook on high for 3-4 hours.
- Mash potatoes and mix in sour cream, butter, salt, and pepper.
10. Orange Chicken
A takeout favorite made at home.
Ingredients:
- 4 chicken thighs
- 1 cup orange marmalade
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 1 tbsp water
Instructions:
- Place chicken thighs in the crockpot.
- Mix orange marmalade, BBQ sauce, and soy sauce, then pour over chicken.
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours.
- Add cornstarch mixture 30 minutes before serving to thicken the sauce.
11. Potato Soup
Warm and comforting.
Ingredients:
- 5 russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 1 onion, chopped
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions:
- Place potatoes and onion in the crockpot and add chicken broth.
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours.
- Stir in heavy cream and shredded cheddar cheese before serving.
12. Salsa Chicken
Great for tacos and burritos.
Ingredients:
- 4 chicken breasts
- 1 jar salsa
- 1 can black beans, drained
- 1 can corn, drained
- 1 packet taco seasoning
Instructions:
- Place chicken breasts in the crockpot.
- Add salsa, black beans, corn, and taco seasoning.
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours.
13. Honey Garlic Chicken
Sweet and savory.
Ingredients:
- 4 chicken thighs
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried basil
Instructions:
- Place chicken thighs in the crockpot.
- Mix honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, and dried basil.
- Pour mixture over chicken.
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours.
14. Vegetable Stew
A wholesome vegetarian option.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 2 potatoes, cubed
- 2 carrots, sliced
- 1 onion, chopped
Instructions:
- Place all ingredients in the crockpot.
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours.
15. Beef Stroganoff
A creamy classic.
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs beef stew meat
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 packet onion soup mix
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup water
Instructions:
- Place beef stew meat in the crockpot.
- Mix cream of mushroom soup, onion soup mix, and water.
- Pour mixture over beef.
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours.
- Stir in sour cream before serving.
16. Stuffed Bell Peppers
Colorful and delicious.
Ingredients:
- 4 bell peppers, tops cut off and seeds removed
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 cup shredded cheese
Instructions:
- Brown ground beef before adding to the crockpot.
- Mix in cooked rice and diced tomatoes.
- Stuff the bell peppers with the beef mixture.
- Place stuffed peppers in the crockpot and cook on low for 6-8 hours.
- Sprinkle with shredded cheese before serving.
17. Chicken Alfredo
Rich and creamy.
Ingredients:
- 4 chicken breasts
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 box fettuccine pasta (cooked and drained)
Instructions:
- Place chicken breasts in the crockpot.
- Mix heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, and minced garlic.
- Pour mixture over chicken and cook on low for 6-8 hours.
- Serve over cooked fettuccine pasta.
18. Meatball Subs
Perfect for game day.
Ingredients:
- 1 bag frozen meatballs
- 1 jar marinara sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 4 hoagie rolls
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions:
- Place frozen meatballs in the crockpot and pour marinara sauce over them.
- Cook on low for 4-6 hours.
- Serve meatballs in hoagie rolls, topped with shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese.
19. Chicken Tacos
Taco night made easy.
Ingredients:
- 4 chicken breasts
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1 cup salsa
- 1/2 cup water
- Taco shells
Instructions:
- Place chicken breasts in the crockpot.
- Mix taco seasoning, salsa, and water.
- Pour mixture over chicken and cook on low for 6-8 hours.
- Shred chicken and serve in taco shells.
20. Pork Chops
Simple yet flavorful.
Ingredients:
- 4 pork chops
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 packet onion soup mix
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 onion, sliced
Instructions:
- Place pork chops in the crockpot.
- Mix cream of mushroom soup, onion soup mix, and chicken broth.
- Pour mixture over pork chops and add sliced onion.
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours.
21. Cheesy Broccoli Soup
A creamy comfort food.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 onion, chopped
Instructions:
- Place broccoli and chopped onion in the crockpot and add chicken broth.
- Cook on low for 4-6 hours.
- Stir in heavy cream and shredded cheddar cheese before serving.
22. Swedish Meatballs
Perfect over noodles.
Ingredients:
- 1 bag frozen meatballs
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 packet brown gravy mix
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup beef broth
Instructions:
- Place frozen meatballs in the crockpot.
- Mix cream of mushroom soup, brown gravy mix, and beef broth.
- Pour mixture over meatballs and cook on low for 6-8 hours.
- Stir in sour cream before serving.
23. Macaroni and Cheese
Kid-friendly and delicious.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups elbow macaroni (uncooked)
- 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 cups milk
- 1/4 cup butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Place uncooked macaroni in the crockpot.
- Add shredded cheddar cheese, milk, and butter.
- Cook on low for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally.
- Season with salt and pepper before serving.
24. Garlic Parmesan Chicken
Rich and savory.
Ingredients:
- 4 chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup melted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
Instructions:
- Place chicken breasts in the crockpot.
- Mix grated Parmesan cheese, melted butter, minced garlic, and chicken broth.
- Pour mixture over chicken and cook on low for 6-8 hours.
25. Beef and Broccoli
A takeout classic.
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs beef stew meat
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 cups broccoli florets
Instructions:
- Place beef stew meat in the crockpot.
- Mix beef broth, soy sauce, and brown sugar.
- Pour mixture over beef and cook on low for 6-8 hours.
- Add broccoli florets 30 minutes before serving.
26. Ham and Bean Soup
Hearty and filling.
Ingredients:
- 1 ham hock
- 1 lb dried beans (navy or great northern)
- 1 onion, chopped
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 carrots, sliced
Instructions:
- Place ham hock, dried beans, and chopped onion in the crockpot and add chicken broth.
- Cook on low for 8-10 hours.
- Add sliced carrots during the last hour of cooking.
27. Butter Chicken
Indian flavors made easy.
Ingredients:
- 4 chicken breasts
- 1 jar butter chicken sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
Instructions:
- Place chicken breasts in the crockpot and add chopped onion.
- Pour butter chicken sauce over the chicken.
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours.
- Stir in heavy cream and chopped cilantro before serving.
28. Carnitas
Perfect for tacos and burritos.
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs pork shoulder
- 1 cup orange juice
- 1/4 cup lime juice
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 tsp cumin
Instructions:
- Place pork shoulder in the crockpot and add chopped onion.
- Mix orange juice, lime juice, and cumin.
- Pour mixture over pork and cook on low for 8-10 hours.
- Shred pork before serving.
29. Sausage and Peppers
A simple, flavorful dish.
Ingredients:
- 4 Italian sausages
- 2 bell peppers, sliced
- 1 onion, sliced
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 tsp garlic powder
Instructions:
- Place Italian sausages in the crockpot.
- Add sliced bell peppers, onion, and diced tomatoes.
- Sprinkle with garlic powder.
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours.
30. Chicken Tortilla Soup
Light yet satisfying.
Ingredients:
- 4 chicken breasts
- 1 can diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 tsp cumin
Instructions:
- Place chicken breasts in the crockpot and add chopped onion.
- Add diced tomatoes with green chilies, chicken broth, and cumin.
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours.
- Shred chicken and serve.
Conclusion
Cooking dinner doesn't have to be stressful or time-consuming. These 30 crockpot recipes with 5 ingredients or less make it easy to enjoy home-cooked meals without the fuss. I hope they simplify your evenings and bring more deliciousness to your table. Happy cooking!